Wolfchild's message muddied

August 23, 2012

We attended the documentary screening & discussion of the Indian System on Thursday, Aug. 16 held at MLC's Collegiate Auditorium. It was presented by two historians/authors and Sheldon Wolfchild who is a Dakota filmmaker/director from Morton.

Fritz Buschs' report of this important event found on the front page of The Journal the following day disappointed us because the subtitle was: (Wolfchild) Calls for the return of sacred land. And the opening paragraph of the article goes into detail about this sacred site known as Coldwater,found in Hennepin County, owned by our government and sought by the Dakota.

Sheldon Wolfchild clearly stated in his opening comments that the purpose of the presentation was not to make people feel guilty about the terrible events that occurred 150 years ago during the US-Dakota War. Instead he wants peace and healing between his people and the white people and said that this is only possible when and if the truth is revealed. He apologized to the crowd for the harm done by the Indians to the settlers.

It was only after the film was shown and the evening was opened up to questions from the audience that Mr. Wolfchild mentioned the subject of having sacred grounds returned to them for spiritual purposes.

We think that the water has been muddied once again by the media making conflict a headline and misrepresenting Sheldon Wolfchilds' message.